Douglas DC-3

First flown in 1935, the Douglas DC-3 became the most successful airliner in the formative years of air transportation, and was the first to fly profitably without government subsidy. More than 18,000 DC-3s, both civil and military versions, U.S. and foreign built, were produced. Many are still flying. This airplane flew more than 56,700 hours with Eastern Air Lines.Gift of Eastern Air Lines

Image number 2005-13984 Credit: Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum